THE Ford Probe from the late eighties was a litany of pros and cons.
On the plus side, note the appearance – streamlined, sporty, aggressive. Put a check next to the intent box: the probe was initially seen as an ambitious replacement for the Mustang. Then there was the involvement of Mazda in the genesis of the probe. It would be built as part of a joint venture known as AutoAlliance International near Detroit and offered with a Mazda 2.0-litre four-cylinder, similar powerplant boosted by a turbocharger, and later a 2.5-litre V6. generating 164 horsepower. The platform, drivetrain and suspension were all reliable Mazdas, based on the company’s popular marque 626 sedan.
Now on the other side of the ledger. There were these reactions, more or less, to the “replace the Mustang” approach when Ford fans learned of the upcoming changes:
“Are you joking?”
“Are you joking.”
“You must be crazy!”
Why is the Ford Probe a future classic?
In the mid-1980s, Ford’s plan to introduce a redesigned Mustang—a classic in its portfolio for decades even then—was a risky proposition, even before the redesign came to life. Due to exorbitant high petrol prices around 1980 – when the Probe-to-Mustang concept was conceived – Ford predicted that gas eaters like Mustangs would soon disappear. Additionally, Ford’s bean counters believed that a probe would be cheaper to produce.
When formal details were leaked and released in 1987, the $13,000 probe was cautiously applauded by the mass market, but thousands of Mustangers sent complaints to Ford. To lock a four-cylinder into a “Mustang” would be heresy. Front-wheel drive? No. And… calling him Probe? Hm.
Neil Ressler, then the head of small car engineering at Ford, later reflected on the different notions of what the Mustang should be: “A lot of people thought it (probe) was a great idea: a modern car. There were also many of us who were upset by it. It was as if the champagne-sipping crowd had replaced the beer-drinking crowd. The idea of replacing the Mustang with a Japanese car, a different car from a different culture aimed at a different audience… it’s not going to work.”
By 1997, fewer than 20,000 units had been delivered in Probe’s last hurray years. It’s the official end, brought about by car sales targeted at enthusiasts like the Honda Prelude AND Toyota Celica, was announced in March of the same year. By the end, Ford had produced nearly 310,000 probes in ten years on the Flat Rock, Michigan assembly line.
Ultimately, The Probe was a story of “different strokes”. Had he not been born as the anti-Mustang – it’s hard to dethrone a champion – his ultimate fate might have been kinder.
What is the ideal example of the Ford Probe?
The base model mix-‘n-match that went on the U.S. market for 1989 (and sold alongside the Mustang) had, as mentioned, a 100-horsepower four. The slightly refined GT version housed a turbo with 145 horsepower. It was critically acclaimed for its agility and handling, streamlined looks, and modest utility (the trunk was a large liftback). A 3.0-litre V6 was an available option, and the engines could be mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
The second generation models of the Ford Probe were released for 1993. As before, the Probe was to share its substructure with the Mazda MX-6 and 626, and the GT model was named “car of the year” by motor tendency. Its redesign was led by Mimi Vanderholen, head of design of the Ford Taurus, and tweaked the interior to be more female-friendly, but the basic specs remained unchanged. The top engine option on this second-generation model was a Mazda-designed 24-valve double overhead cam 2.5-liter V6 that produced 164 horsepower.
Be sure to check our used vehicle listings; they can be helpful in finding a good deal. You can narrow the options down to a radius around your postcode and be sure to pay attention to the deal rating on each listing to see how one vehicle compares to others in a similar area.
Are there any good alternatives to the Ford Probe?
Though Ford pumped out more than 300,000 probes in a decade, in the last few years of the rush the numbers have dwindled, so that desirable late models are few and far between. Even the mechanically similar Mazda MX-6 is not easier to find.
We found one available in Kansas, a 1994 GT five speed with 81k miles, offered by a reseller for $11,000.
There is a generous selection of alternatives, including the 1990 Mazda Miatawhich proved that a British imitation sports carbuilt by Japancould be reliable.
Also from Japan, the Nissan 300ZX, could be had with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine making 300 hp and 283 lb-ft. of couple. And there’s the third-generation sports compact Honda Prelude, a fascinating (for the time) blend of technology, stuff like four-wheel steering. Also check out the luxury Prelude 2.0 Si, which incorporated a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder with 135 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. Some Preludes had complicated transmissions, so watch out for strange noises and noises.
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